Paulanne Simmons
“One-Man Star Wars Trilogy” Captures the Force
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| Photo of Charles Ross by Jason Woodruff |
“One-Man Star Wars Trilogy”
Performed by Charles Ross
The Lambs Theatre
130 West 44th St, between Sixth Ave. and Broadway
Tues. 8 p.m., Wed. 3 and 8 p.m., Thurs. and Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 10:30 p.m.
$39, Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200
Opened Aug. 2, closes Dec. 31
Reviewed by Paulanne Simmons Aug. 16, 2005
For the two people in New York City who may not be acquainted with the original films, Charles Ross’s “One-Man Star Wars Trilogy” at Lambs Theatre until Oct. 31, is somewhat amusing. But for the vast numbers of young and old who have seen the movies several times, the hour-long journey through the galaxies is double-over-with-laughter funny.
All the characters in the three films are instantly recognizable – Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3PO, Yoda, Hans Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, etc. But that’s not all. Ross also hums the score, mimics the sound effects, fights the battles (on both sides) and becomes the actual spaceship.
After the show, the 31-year-old Canadian sits down with his legs dangling over the stage. He tells the audience how amazed he is that he has come so far and explains how important it is to live one’s dreams.
What makes this quirky piece work so well is Ross’s ambivalent attitude toward his subject. Clearly he is enthralled by the saga. And just as clearly he is aware of some of the more ridiculous aspects of the film. Luke Skywalker moans at the end of the show, “I’ll never work in film again,” which, alas, seems to have been mostly true for the actor Mark Hamill. Hans Solo wonders why Luke has been kissing Leia so much if she really is his sister.
Ross is a master of gesture and nuance. He conveys character through a walk, a stance, an eccentric tic. He also has boundless energy. May the force be with him.
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